New member Hello!

[shelbyg19]

HI!
New to the site, and haven't had chickens since I was little. Just moved from Colorado to Arkansas, and am in the process of setting up. Any recommendations for how many sq. ft per. chicken for a coop, linear ft. of roost, and # of roosting boxes? We will start with a dozen or so chicks, and already have a 10 x 20 enclosed run, just need to build a coop!
Thanks, Shelby

 

[Tookie]

Each chicken should have 4sq ft of coop space, 10sq ft of run space, 1ft of roost, and 1sq ft of ventilation in the coop. 3 nesting boxes should be enough for 12 chickens.

 

[Dr Evy]

Welcome to BYC Shelby. We’re so glad you joined!

 

[sourland]

Hello, Shelby, and welcome to BYC. Good luck in establishing your flock.

 

[janiedoe]

Hello, Shelby, and welcome!
I'd stick to no more than 11 to 12 hens and 1 rooster, in a run that size. And you would need a coop of 4 x 10 (not including nest box space) and that's with water and food in the run. So a covered run is best.
You absolutely need 1 square foot of ventilation, in your coop, per chicken, at all times. 1 foot of roost space per chicken, and more is better.
I think of minimum space like a jail cell. I might live there, but I'd be a bit of a b**** about it.
More space = happier, healthier inmates.
Good luck!

 

[DobieLover]

Hello, Shelby, and welcome to BYC. Glad you joined.
I second everything @janiedoe posted. Especially the b**** part.

 

[007Sean]

Howdy, Shelby Welcome to Backyard Chickens. Enjoy your time here!

 

[TwoShepherds]

Hello and welcome from Tennessee!

 

[Boppo]

Welcome to BYC. Enjoy those birds!

 

[Kenneth Zweerink]

Welcome to BackYard Chickens. And a Big Hello from Eastern Nebraska!